Matthews scores 18 points in loss.
Senior forward, Clarence Matthews scored 18 points, 16 in the first half, to lead three Tigers in double figures in their season opening loss to the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky.
The Tigers played on even terms with WKU in the first half trailing by six points, 42-36 at intermission. But after cutting the lead to 4 points (42-38) with the first basket of the second half, TSU was outscored 29-8 during the first 10:00 of the second to fall behind the Sun Belt Conference favorite 71-44 (9:46).
Guards Ladarius Weaver and Reiley Ervin scored 15 and 10 points respectively and freshman center Rashad Armstrong finished the game with 9 points and 2 blocked shots. Starting center Larry Turner controlled the boards pulling down 12 rebounds (8 defensive) with 1 blocked shot.
On the game, TSU outrebounded Western Kentucky 41-40 but committed 24 turnovers. Three Tigers Larry Turner, Courtney Bohannon and Moraye Ivy fouled out of the game.
The game against Western Kentucky is the first of four games in the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational Tournament. Two games are played and regional sites and the last two are played in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Orleans Arena, Friday (11/24) and Saturday (11/25).
From Bowling Green, the Tigers will travel to Lawrence, Kansas to play the Kansas Jayhawks on at 7:00p, Tuesday, November 21st . From there, TSU will travel to Las Vegas for games Friday (11/24) and Saturday (11/25). Friday's opponent will be Prairie View A&M and Saturday's opponent will be either Towson or Chattanooga.